Kusumba Mosque: One of the monuments from the Sultanate Era in Bangladesh. Photo: BSS

Babul Akhtar Rana

DHAKA, March 9, 2025 (BSS) - Naogaon, an agriculturally dependent district of Barendra bordering the northwest region, is home to a 527-year-old traditional 'Kusumba Mosque'.

Considering its architectural style and aesthetic importance, the picture of Kusumba Mosque has been printed on the country's Taka 5 currency which has caught everyone's attention.

Among the many monuments of the Sultanate period in Bangladesh, the Kusumba Mosque in Naogaon is one of them.

According to the time of laying the foundation stone, the mosque stands with a tradition of 527 years.

The Kusumba Mosque is located in Kusumba village of Kusumba union in Manda upazila, 35 kilometers from Naogaon district town.

Kusumba Mosque is located 400 meters north of the Manda Bridge on the Rajshahi Highway.

Hundreds of visitors come to see this mosque every day. There is a huge pond of about 100 bighas on the north-south side of the mosque.

It is about 1,200 feet long and about 900 feet wide. This pond was dug to meet the drinking water, bathing and ablution needs of the villagers and the devotees.

Kusumba Mosque is 58 feet long and 42 feet wide in north-south. The walls on all sides are 6 feet thick.

The outer part is covered with stones. There are three doors in the front of the mosque. Two are large in size, the other is relatively small. The doors are arch-shaped. There are four minarets at the four corners of the mosque. The minarets are as high as the walls of the mosque and are octagonal. There are six domes on the roof. Which are made in two rows.

The second row of domes of Kusumba Mosque is small in size. Three domes were destroyed in an earthquake in 1897. Later, the Department of Archaeology renovated the mosque. There are two pillars inside the mosque.

A two-story room was built on stone pillars in front of the northern mihrab. This room was called the Zenana Gallery or the women's prayer room. Women used to pray there.

Inside the mosque, on the western wall, there are three beautiful mihrabs with hanging chains, flowers and vines. These crafts are of very high quality.

The two mihrabs on the south side are large in size. The northern mihrab is small. The mosque has two doors on the north and south sides. In front of the mosque, there is an open courtyard and stone steps, which go down to the pond. A box-shaped black stone can be seen a little distance from the entrance of the mosque. It is believed that this is a grave.

It is said that a Muslim convert named Sabarkhan or Sulaiman built the mosque. The dates of the two inscriptions on the mosque have created confusion in the minds of people about the date of its foundation. 

However, the inscription at the main entrance proved that this mosque was built in 1558 AD. It was built during the reign of Afghan Sultan Ghiyasuddin Bahadur I, a descendant of Sher Shah (1554-1560).

Accordingly, the current age of the mosque is 467 years. According to another inscription, during the reign of Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah, his minister or administrative officer laid the foundation stone of the mosque in 1498 AD. Accordingly, the age of the mosque is now 527 years.

There are various legends about the naming of the village of Kusumba. Kusum Bibi, the wife of Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah of Gaur, came to live in this area for some time. The village was named Kusumba after her. Later, a mosque was built in the name of Kusum Bibi. However, historians believe that it has no historical truth.

The Kusumba Mosque is a four-cornered structure. This mosque is built of black and gray stone and terracotta bricks.

Clay tiles have been used. The outside and inside of the brick walls are covered with stones. There are four octagonal towers (minarets) at the four corners of the mosque. There are two wide pillars inside.

Ariful Haque Ranak and Sohel Rana, who visited the mosque, said that they had wanted to visit here for a long time after seeing the picture on the five-takara note. The surrounding environment is very beautiful. It feels very good to be here. However, if a rest house is built here, it will be convenient for visitors from far and wide.

Locals said that devout Muslims from far and wide come to the mosque to offer five daily prayers.

Besides, visitors come from different districts of the country including Rajshahi, Brahmanbaria, Chapainawabganj.

Salman and Kumkum, visitors from Chapainawabganj, said, "I have never seen such a beautiful and unique mosque. The mosque is more beautiful now than what I saw before. I want to come again and again. That's why I come. There is a huge pond in front. Hundreds of men and women come to see all this every day.

Maulana Israfil Alam, the muezzin of Kusumba Mosque, said, "Every day, countless people come from far and wide to visit Kusumba Mosque. Many come here to offer prayers. However, more devotees arrive during Friday prayers. About 80 devotees can offer prayers in four rows inside the mosque.

Besides, about 700 devotees can offer prayers in congregation in the open space in front of the mosque. Every Friday and during the two Eid congregations in a year, the entire premises inside and outside the mosque are filled with devotees. Besides, Tarawih prayers are also offered here during the holy month of Ramadan.

Imam Hafez Maulana Obaidul Haque of Kusumba Mosque said that Sultan Alauddin Hossain Shah laid the foundation stone and Sultan Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah completed its construction. It took about 60 years to build the mosque. Not only domestic but also foreign visitors come to visit the mosque. People come more on Fridays to offer prayers and vows.

Naogaon Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Awal said that people visit this ancient mosque every day.

Naogaon Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Awal said, "Visitors from all over the country and abroad come to see this ancient mosque every day. Rest houses and parks have already been built. More plans have been taken to develop the tourism potential."